Practice makes perfect

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malilords51.jpgLord's square extended to include two new practice pitches

Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC) is currently working with turf consultant Steven Pask Limited to add two new pitches to the main Lord's square. One pitch is being laid at either end of the square, and both will initially be used during the 2013 season for training and practice purposes prior to international and First-Class fixtures. Following a two-year "bedding-in" process, it is intended that the pitches will be used in competitive cricket from 2015.

The addition of the new pitches means that the Lord's square will incorporate 21 pitches. Work was last conducted on the Lord's square in September 2004, when one of the pitches in the middle of the square was re-laid.

MCC Head of Cricket and Estates, John Stephenson, said:"MCC is determined to maintain the reputation of Lord's as the best cricket ground in the world for players, members and spectators. The laying of two new international standard pitches represents the most recent phase in the Club's ongoing commitment to make sure that this is the case.

"The new pitches will initially be used next season purely for practice purposes, but once they have 'bedded-in' over the next couple of years they will be used for competitive cricket and will therefore provide even greater flexibility for the Ground to host further fixtures. In particular, it will present the opportunity for Lord's to accommodate more women's and youth cricket on the Main Ground."

The installation of the two new practice pitches on the Lord's square follows the re-laying of approximately one-third of the outfield in August, after the Ground hosted the Archery tournament for the London 2012 Olympic Games. Working in partnership with LOCOG and Steven Pask Limited the whole outfield will be re-laid prior to the start of the 2013 cricket season.

Lord's Cricket Ground

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